C Newlin on sun 8 sep 02
Hello there folks.
I have been here for short periods before, but its been a year or so and I
was not active, so I thought I'd introduce myself go from there.
My name's Cathi. I live in north central Missouri though I'm from Ca till
recently.
I will turn 40 on 9/10. I majored in fine art in college (drawing, painting
and printmaking) but did not graduate. I took 5 semesters of ceramic art,
but always considered myself a 2-D artist.
I never threw a single vessel in college...strictly a hand builder!
A couple years ago, after pretty much having stopped all artistic
efforts, I was given a small ^8 Scutt electric kiln and an old electric
wheel and tried it out. I made reasonably formed tiny pots, and had some
fun firing them, so I decided to get more serious. I bought a motorized
Laguna kick wheel just before we moved to Mo.
I have gotten a bit more serious and have been working on building a small
studio and teaching myself to throw, hand build and fire.
I have learned on my own the importance of thoroughly wedging my clay, have
gotten pretty consistent in my ability to center, have learned to slow my
firing process down and recently built a small Raku kiln.
I am pretty isolated here except for the internet, but have rekindled my
relationship with my former instructor from GWC, Majorie Gray, and consider
her my mentor. I am actually traveling to Ca next week and will be visiting
with her.
I am working very hard on making art in general and ceramics in particular
my vocation, though I have a long way to go. I find that after turning a
cylinder, the clay, rather than me dictate the form the vessel takes from
there. I guess I'm not actually sure whether I want to focus on thrown
forms or hand building...probably a combination of the both. I sort of want
to do it all! But I think one of the things that inspires me most are
simple tea bowls. Wow...
Anyway, I have tons of questions and a lot to learn.
I did want to address a couple of the topics recent here...
On beginning throwing:
The book "Pottery on the Wheel" has helped me, but also there are a couple
of really great online tutorials that have been great (especially for
someone who cannot readily attend classes or demonstrations).
Kickwheel Pottery's online demonstration is helpful
http://www.kickwheel.com/How%20To%20Throw.step1.html
I have a couple of other resources online that I can share if anyone is
interested.
I think I bit off a bit more than I could chew when I decided on a kick
wheel, but that's what I have, so I must learn to make it work for me.
On borrowing from other cultures:
This caught my eye. I'm not Jewish, but have long been interested in the
culture and faith, and have been wanting to create a Minorah (sp) for some
friends, as well as explore making Mesuzat. Not sure if its appropriate to
do that or not, but I guess that I don't feel its wrong if the motivation
is not to exploit that culture.
Lastly, I saw an interesting show on PBS tonight on the modernization and
automation of the Wedgewood Pottery company. One thing that came to my mind
was that by largely automating the process (robots that attach handles to
cups or apply decals or glazes) it seems to me it diminishes the value of
the product. Isn't part of the value the personal attention each piece
recieves during production?
BTW-the robots have been unable to replicate the care and speed with which
the human employees produce the work...
Anyway, nice to meet you all.
I gotta try to wade through all these CalyArt messages now!
Cathi Newlin (in the barn...)
Mercer, Mo!
thebarn@stinkbalm.com
Tim on sun 8 sep 02
Cathi,
I don't know about anyone else, but I'd love to see any web links you have.
Thanks for the post - 'always good to "get to know" other potters. =)
Welcome!
- Tim Miller -
Indianapolis, IN
-----Original Message-----
From: Ceramic Arts Discussion List [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG]On
Behalf Of C Newlin
Sent: Sunday, September 08, 2002 1:05 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Intro, Wedgewood and more...
>Kickwheel Pottery's online demonstration is helpful
>http://www.kickwheel.com/How%20To%20Throw.step1.html
>I have a couple of other resources online that I can share if anyone is
>interested.
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